Hip-Hop 2.0: Soulja Boy Is A Web 2.0 Wonder
I’ve been talking about this Soulja Boy Web phenomenon every moment I get — on my own blog, in blog comments, in face-to-face conversations. So of course it was funny today, when perusing my Google Reader for coverage of Pop!Tech and Web 2.0 Summit (mainly because I missed not actually having been there), that I ran across this bit of information on the Popular Science Blog about a Soulja Boy discussion at Web 2.0.
Apparently, Hitwise charted the Soulja Boy boom by tracking the amount of traffic streaming from social networking sites to search engines to his official Web site, and predicted back in May that the rapper (who was virtually unknown at the time) would become a major mainstream success.
And just in case you don’t know what Hitwise does, peep this:
The Hitwise online competitive intelligence service provides daily insights on how 25 million people interact with over 1 million websites in 160+ industries. Our unique, global network of Internet usage data is integrated into our user friendly service, helping you better plan, implement and report on your online branding, search marketing, content strategies and online partnerships.
Now we’re not saying this is the best of hip-hop, but we’re definitely saying, well at least I am, it’s the best example I’ve seen of an artist utilizing the power of the Web to break his career. Sure, Cassie broke on YouTube, but how many records did she sell? The truth is, all the work on YouTube, MySpace, et. al. paid off for this cat. I’m sure the fact that he created dance lesson videos didn’t hurt either. We know that a lot of these dirty south dance songs end up being one-hit wonders for a lot of artists, but this Web community built up around this artist is outrageous. You won’t see me cranking anything anytime soon, but I can respect Web gansterism when I see it.
If you’re in the music industry, please study this Soulja Boy site now. Then click over to the Soulja Boy Myspace profile page. Then peep that Soulja Boy YouTube channel.
Now read this:
Thanks largely to YouTube, “Crank That,” the song and dance, have been ubiquitous for the past three months. Since it was posted in August, the instructional clip featuring Soulja Boy doing the moves has been viewed on YouTube more than 11 million times. Video variations of the song, including manipulated Winnie the Pooh and Dora the Explorer cartoons, have also become Internet hits.
And this:
That may be true because the rapper established his song and dance on the Internet before securing a major-label deal. But “Crank That” - built on a rudimentary arrangement featuring little more than finger snaps and a bouncy keyboard riff - is hardly groundbreaking. Like the “Macarena,” the song and dance are hot for the moment.
They don’t have classes in school on this stuff you know. There’s no handbook. This is the closest you’re going to get to a case study right now. This is Hip-Hop 2.0.
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October 18th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Excellent! Thanks for the links, Lynne.
One thing that obscures any study of the web’s effect on “Crank That” is the fact that Mr. Collipark produced it.
I disagree with the Baltimore Sun with, “built on a rudimentary arrangement featuring little more than finger snaps and a bouncy keyboard riff - is hardly groundbreaking.”
Actually Collipark has already created hits using the same catchy formula, including The Whisper Song.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:35 am
More on this, that I dug up after reading the MIT Convergence Culture Consortium’s blog:
Hustling 2.0: Soulja Boy and the Crank Dat Phenomenon
And the Artist Direct article it references, The Rise Of Soulja Boy Tellem
October 19th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Mr. Collipark did digress producer-wise. When you first learn to create music, the steel drums always appeal to you. The explosion in popularity ofcourse came because of the video and dance. I read reviews on itunes that actually emphasizes the video…on ITUNES!!!! So most people are affected by the dance and the effect is widespread popularity(Even heard it on nfl clips). I’m happy for Hip hop 2.0, but saddened by the content.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Web gansterism. I like that. So many people don’t realize the potential out there. Why spend thousands of dollars on advertising when you can do it yourself.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:10 am
[…] Hip-Hop 2.0: Soulja Boy Is A Web 2.0 Wonder - Black Web 2.0 “Now we’re not saying this is the best of hip-hop, but we’re definitely saying…it’s the best example I’ve seen of an artist utilizing the power of the Web to break his career. Sure, Cassie broke on YouTube, but how many records did she sell?” (tags: hiphop internet) […]
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Hitwise Called Soulja Boy’s Success Back in May
Lynne d Johnson opens up at Black Web 2.0 with the topic of Soulja Boy’s web marketing and Hitwise’s early call on his success based on web traffic patterns. Have to be honest, though, I hadn’t really picked up on Lynne’s huge interest in Souljah B…
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:03 am
Crank Dat White Girl - The Soulja Boy Lesson Plan
If Soulja Boy is our case study, what do we learn that we can apply to other indie hip-hop acts?
October 25th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
[…] artists aren't as afraid of the digital era anymore. Has anyone else seen this change coming?Read More at Black Web 2.0 Published Oct 25 2007, 02:17 PM by lhester Filed under: mp3, youtube, myspace, souljaboi, […]
October 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Who can really be made at Soulja Boy? He is only a teen and he is breaking boundaries and setting precedents that even established artists haven’t been able to touch. I first read about his online success on Global Grind and after checking out his movement I can see what the hype is about. The song is catchy and dance moves are the way to go. He has managed to catch the attention of children and adults all over the world.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:38 am
“Where Are the Black Web Professionals?”
Soulja Boy - Pimp Slap Dat Hoe lyrics
Man what happen man?
Man I don’t know this gurl still talkin’ crazy to me man actin actin like she run me or sumthin’
What dog man you know what you need to do man
What?
Slap dat hoe man, pimp slap her ass man you get yo respect dog
Yo Feel Me Aight
Aight Aight
Do dat dog walk over there and pimp slap her
That’s what I’m talking about
I’m something like a pimp from the dirty dirty south,
If you keep talkin crazy imma slap you in yo mouth,
This nigga ain’t playin bout my cheddar or my cake, if you do something wrong then my hand gon meet yo face
My hand comin fast bout a hundred miles per hour,
Gettin hit in yo face while you bathin in the shower
I thought I told you trick better have my money off da rip, reach back like a pimp slap dat trick in da lip.
Askin me for some money to go shoppin at Chinese store, reach back like a pimp knock dat trick to da floor
If you aint heard I’m dat nigga datz gon put you out yo misery
Pimp slappin is what I do, known in the city
Trick get back yappin yappin in my ear,
Like a man here come my hand now all the talkin disappear
Slap fist in my house, you talkin crazy so you gettin hit
Slap ya in da face. Reach back I’ma a pimp trick.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:40 am
I guess some people don’t believe in cause and effect.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Web marketing to promote content like that is evil.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:08 am
[…] In ROFLCon’s ongoing attempt to secure an entire panel to discuss dance-crazes that have reached prominent memehood online, team member Christina has just published a major work in the field of SouljaBoy studies. The rapper, Soulja Boy, is notable for developing his career almost entirely off of a rich, open, sharing Web 2….. […]
December 6th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
[…] subsequently left some in the television, film and music industries reeling. Musical artists like Soulja Boy and Saul Williams have demonstrated they can be successful promoters of their own work. Artists are […]
December 14th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
i love you soulja boy
December 14th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
i love u souljaboy
January 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think soulja boy is the most poperly singer in the days times so that mean i love you soulja boy
January 17th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
[…] recent comments Do You KNOW Clarence?™ » Global Grind on GlobalGrind Simplifies DesignClarence on GlobalGrind Simplifies DesignLiz Burr on GlobalGrind Simplifies DesignTestbet on GlobalGrind Simplifies DesignChristina aka Toosie on Hip-Hop 2.0: Soulja Boy Is A Web 2.0 Wonder […]
February 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
helllo i love 50 cent
February 25th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Honestly, Souljah boy is NOT hip hop.
Anyway, yes, he is more web 2.0 than any other artist.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
[…] profiled social media’s impact on the music industry, covering artist including Radio Head and Soulja Boy, but not to be out done is Grammy award winning rapper and record label CEO, Chamillionare. The […]